January 30, 2012

While playing with our camera, and my video software, I came up with this little glimpse of our sheep herd. :) It was mainly supposed to be an experiment to figure out a few things for another project I've been working on, so I only spent about 15 minutes on it - but it turned out to be a good way for you all to see how cute these little guys are. :) (Please excuse the mud. They do have options of drier places to go...it's just that their favorite patch is pretty waterlogged after these days of rain we've had.)

January 24, 2012

I fell in love with the Dominican Republic the first day I spent there. (And that day was just a little over two years ago now - one week after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.) I think it might often be shrugged off as just a tourist spot, a cruise ship stop; I know I was guilty of thinking that once. It is truly an amazing place - banana trees, ocean, a rugged mountain back drop, and a fascinating eclectic mix of Spanish and African culture, in the food, music, and even the distinctive look of the people. I felt so blessed to be there once, and hoped, but hardly expected to go back. But I did.

My Grandpa, little brother, and I just returned this past weekend from 10 days there.

Our mission was to finish up construction on a local church building.

In a funny twist of providence that only the Lord could

have planned -

it turned out to be an enlargement project on a church my

Grandpa had helped build 35 years earlier.

He hadn't expected to ever find that church again,

let alone return to work on it once more with

two of his grandchildren.

It was amazing to be able to work alongside

the pastor, and even his own small grandchildren,

as we improved and repaired their home and church.

l-r: Missionary, my little buddy- Aylin, and I.

I knew absolutely nothing about tile and grout;

but after three days of non-stop tile work,

I feel pretty proficient. ;)

Despite the fact it's a country hidden in the Caribbean mirage,

it's still a hurting place.

As much as I struggled with the Creole accent last time,

I truly didn't expect to understand much of anything -

(I certainly haven't studied any Spanish in the past two years.)

So it really struck me as a blessing from the Lord

that my comprehension, and even ability to have basic

conversations was so much greater this time.

I love it when the Lord makes it so obvious that it's Him.

Not me.

My brother and I found photographer backdrop heaven...

And we found the propane guy again...

And we still complain about gas prices?... ;)(That may or may not be in Pesos...)

About Me

I'm a twenty-something homeschool graduate, working alongside my parents and brother as we step out on a new adventure - restoring an old home, and reaching out to a new (to us) neighborhood in Midwest Florida.

Goodness and Mayhem?

I love to write, and I love to tell stories - and when I do; I've come to realize that they can almost be summed up in just two words: Goodness and Mayhem. Goodness, in the form of everyday blessings (especially the seemingly small ones), and the wonder of seeing God work all things for our good. (Romans 8:28).I'm also thankful for those "mayhem moments" of chaos, confusion, and sometimes destruction... courtesy of our lovable critters.We never know when the next episode will strike... or in what humorous sort of way...